Birmingham's Keith Fahey got Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign off to a winning start on a difficult night in Yerevan.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni always said he would settle for a 1-0 win and super sub Fahey granted him that wish with a 76th-minute strike on his competitive debut.

It could have been more, though, had Sean St Ledger converted a first-half chance and skipper Robbie Keane steered home the two glorious ­opportunities that came his way.

Trapattoni said: “I said that Armenia would not be an easy game and in fact it was very difficult.

“It will not be easy for the other teams in the group to come here.

“It is a very important result – we have started with a good away win.” Minnows Andorra are next up for Trap’s boys in Dublin on Tuesday night.

Ireland were up against it for lengthy spells and Armenia made life extremely tough.

In fact, they were dominating before Fahey’s crucial ­intervention.

After eight minutes Keane had a glorious chance to steal the lead but having raced on to Shay Given’s long ball, he steered his first-time volley from 12 yards inches wide.

Keane was screaming for a penalty two minutes later having tangled in the box with Robert Arzumanyan but the striker was chancing his arm and the Hungarian referee was having none of it Recent £6million Shakhtar Donetsk signing Henrik Mkhitaryan was Ireland’s tormentor in chief as the home side fought back.

Given – yet to play for Manchester City this season – showed how rusty he was at times in goal.

His handling was nowhere near as assured as it can be and he caused some palpitations in the Irish defence.

Midfielder Karlen Mkrtchyan almost caught him out midway through the half when his shot from a quick throw-in swerved in the air.

Levon Pachajyan followed up with another effort soon after.

Armenia’s play was inventive, imaginative and attractive to watch.

They were willing to try the audacious where possible, peppering Given with shots from every angle.

But for the most part they were only restricted to shots from distance.

Ireland had another chance via a corner from Aiden McGeady on 22 minutes.

St Ledger, at the back post, climbed high and thundered a header at keeper Roman Berezovsky who flapped but batted the ball to safety.

And before half-time the visitors had a goal ruled offside.

Glenn Whelan took a quick free-kick to Keane and the captain fired home only to fall foul of the linesman’s flag. It was a marginal decision but the correct one.

Whelan fizzed a shot narrowly wide on the half-time whistle.

Armenia were ruing their own missed opportunities in the second half, meanwhile, and should have scored after 57 minutes. Mkhitaryan squared to Artur Edigaryan in the box but the midfielder, with the goal at his mercy, showed woeful control and squandered a golden opportunity.

But the danger wasn’t over and the mighty Mkhitaryan ghosted past Paul Green to force Given into a full-stretch save from distance.

The home crowd were in full voice by now.

Yet despite the ferocious pressure Ireland were under they still showed some character and Keane – from another Given long ball – smacked the post with a weak enough effort just after the hour.

St Ledger then almost steered a header into his own net when under no pressure.

Yet when the chips were down, Ireland ultimately came up with the goods.

Fahey replaced McGeady after 68 minutes and hit the target eight minutes later. Liam Lawrence fired a ball into Keane who could not quite control the pass.

A defender stabbed it clear but straight to Fahey who, with time on his side, drilled the ball home from 10 yards.

Trapattoni added: “It was hot out there and we made some mistakes in our passing in the first half as the players were a bit tense.

“We reorganised a bit at half-time, our movement was better after the break and Keith Fahey did well to get the goal.”

Matchwinner Fahey said: “It was great to be involved and the ball just bounced for me and I put it away.